The Mind Tools Content Team

10 Ways to Get a Better Night's Sleep

Helping Yourself to Have Good-Quality Sleep

Many of us don't get enough sleep.

In the morning, we're up early getting the kids ready for school, or we're at the gym, squeezing in a workout before heading to the office. In the evening, we have commitments after work, such as attending corporate functions, or we're catching up with personal admin, so we turn into bed late. And, when our heads finally hit the pillow, we're so busy thinking about what's coming up the next day, we can't even drop off!

Rather than thinking about good sleep as a "nice to have," getting a proper night's sleep should be one of our top priorities. Not having enough affects your health, and also your performance at work (as it impairs your memory and ability to focus).

In this article, we'll look at why sleep is so important, and explore ways to get a good night's rest.

You can do more than count sheep to ensure you fall sound asleep.

Why Sleep Matters

Sleep gives your brain a much-needed break from the stresses of the day. It rejuvenates your mind, and allows it to process information.

But how much sleep do we need? Although everyone's needs are different, studies show that adults who get seven to eight hours a day have lower mortality rates, and tend to be healthier, than those who have more or less than this amount.

If you don't get enough sleep, you may experience a number of health problems. For example, you can be more vulnerable to catching colds, and you may have trouble maintaining a healthy weight, because a lack of sleep impairs your body's ability to regulate the hormones associated with appetite.